Timely hitting and strong pitching helped the Penticton Elksa Blue Jays down Kelowna No. 1 14-11 to win the peewee baseball tournament at Kiwanis Park.
Tommy Waterman, Easton Olsen and Ross Millar enjoyed strong pitching performances that allowed Daniel Martin to come in and close up the victory. Coach Duncan Millar said his team played extremely well. Helping the Blue Jays offence was Kiel MacKay, who drove in two runs with a hit.
“That was big,” said Millar.
The Blue Jays coach described the game as good baseball with several good plays and hits.
“It’s expected, doesn’t always happen,” he joked about the hitting.
Another player who stood out was Kaleb Blade, one of the Blue Jays’ top base stealers.
In facing Kelowna, the Blue Jays, made up of all rookies, faced a more experienced squad, who defeated them by a run earlier in the tournament. Millar said winning the tournament was a nice reward for his group, which has worked hard all season.
“They are very disciplined,” said Millar of Kelowna. “I just wanted them to play hard and have fun is the biggest thing.”
Finishing third in the tournament were the Penticton Fortis Mariners, who defeated Summerland.
The tournament was organized by Carolyn Martin, the Penticton Minor Baseball Association secretary/treasurer, and Millar said she did a good job.